WILDLIFE DEPT SEIZE 227 WHITE RUMPED SHAMA BIRDS HIDDEN IN FERRY

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), July 28 (Bernama) -- The Johor Wildlife and
National Parks Department (Perhilitan) saved 227 white rumped Shama or Malaysian
song birds from ending up in cages elsewhere, after raiding a ferry at the
Stulang Laut Ferry Terminal here Monday.

The 227 Shama, worth about RM80,000 and on its way to Indonesia, was seized
during the raid. (US$1=RM3.53)

Its director Abdul Razak Majid said the Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia bound
passenger ferry was raided at about 9.30am after monitoring such activities for
the past two months.

"All the birds that were found alive were placed inside special compartments
on rescue boats and covered with canvas," he told reporters at the Johor
Wildlife office here Monday.

Razak said there were no documents giving authority for anyone to take the
birds outside the country and that investigations would be carried out,
especially the ferry operator and captain.

The protected species, also known scientifically as "Copsychus Malabaricus"
can fetch prizes ranging from RM300 to RM350 each among bird enthusiasts.
--BERNAMA